Five MSN Members Form Consortium for the Partnerships for the National Marine 30x30 Target Project

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For the first time since its founding, the Marine Protected Areas Support Network (MSN), led a consortium for a project entitled "Partnerships for the National Marine 30x30 Target”. The project’s main goal is to assist the Philippine government in determining its national 30x30 commitments. This goal is accomplished by enhancing policy and governance frameworks, bolstering capabilities at the national, sub-national, and local levels, and implementing inclusive, community-led initiatives. Efforts focus on coastal resource protection, biodiversity conservation, and fisheries management, thereby ensuring that all activities are guided by scientific evidence and uphold the principles of community participation, inclusivity, and respect for local rights. This 3-year project started in October 2023 and will end by September 2026. The work is made possible through the support of Oceans 5 and its Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Bloomberg Arcadia Funding Initiative. Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

The project involved five (5) of the network’s member institutions, namely: the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation, Inc. (MERF), Conservation International - Philippines (CI-Philippines), Oceana Philippines, Rare Philippines, and the World Wildlife Fund - Philippines (WWF-Philippines). MERF is the main project proponent, with MERF President Dr. Michael P. Atrigenio as the project lead. The consortium members held an inception meeting on November 17, 2023, to discuss key aspects of project implementation and the planned activities of the three-year project. The project was formally launched on March 21, 2024, during the 1st National KBA Workshop, held in Quezon City. 

The MSN is a network composed of government and non-government institutions that promotes science-based knowledge to establish and strengthen the performance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Philippines. The network was formally established in 2005 with eight (8) founding members, with MERF as one of the founding members. It has since expanded to 17 members. 

Inception workshop (hybrid) with project partners from Oceana, Rare, MERF, CI, and WWF-Philippines held on November 11, 2023 at the University Hotel

Group photo of the heads of the project consortium members during the official project launch held at Quezon City, March 21, 2024. (L-R) Ms. Rocky Tirona (Rare Philippines), Dr. Porfirio Aliño (MSN National Coordinator), Dr. Michael P. Atrigenio (MERF President/Project Leader), Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos (Vice President, Oceana Philippines), Ms. Katherine Custodio (Executive Director, WWF-Philippines), ASEC Marcial Amaro Jr. (Director DENR-BMB), Ms. Armida Andres (OIC Assistant Director, DENR-BMB), Mr. Wilson Barbon (Country Director, Conservation International - Philippines) 

Acknowledgement:

This work is made possible through the support of Oceans 5 and its Bloomberg Ocean Fund and Bloomberg Arcadia Funding Initiative. Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.